XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

Job Description for Software Developer

Software developers are the people who create the different programs that computers use for everything they do. This may be something small such as a notepad program all the way up to the entire operating system that runs the computer. Software developers may work in developing software programs for retail, or they may work to develop private software used by businesses.

A software developer usually works with a team of others with the same title. They work in bringing together ideas to create new computer programs and improve on existing software. "Software" is a broad term used to define any kind of program that a computer may use. These may be video games, web browsers, writing tools, photography editing programs, and even entire operating systems such as Windows. The software developer must be trained to read computer programming languages, which are generally strings of codes, numbers and letters that would be undecipherable to those who are not trained to read it. Software developers must be very intelligent to perform their duties. The work environment for software developers is usually an office setting, and they may have their own office or a cubicle. They may also spend time in a conference room with their team. Software developers usually report to a senior software developer or programmer or an information technology director. Working hours for this position are typical business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tools used for working include computers, computer software, telephones, pens and paper, and other typical office supplies.

A software developer is required to have a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer programming, or information technology. Some companies require a master's degree in the same fields. It is preferred that software developers also have some experience in software development.

Without software developers, there would be no use for computers. Everything we often take for granted today would be much more difficult. Many more tasks would have to be done manually and production would be much slower than it is with the use of computers and computer programs.

Software Developer Tasks

Write, modify, and debug software for client applications.

Use source debuggers and visual development environments.

Test and document software for client applications.

Write code to create single-threaded, multi-threaded or user interface event driven applications, either stand-alone and those which access servers or services.

Software Developer Job Listings

Search for more jobs:

Popular Employer Salaries for Software Developer

Popular Skills for Software Developer

This chart shows the most popular skills for this job and what effect each skill has on pay.

Pay by Experience Level for Software Developer

Median of all compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime) by years of experience.

Pay Difference by Location

Software Developer Reviews

What is it like working as a Software Developer?

Software Developer in New York:

"Getting paid to solve puzzles."

Pros: The job is very self motivated and self regulated. For the most part I show up when I feel it is necessary, and I leave when the day's work is done. The pay is great, especially for someone fresh out of undergrad. I feel like I am doing exactly what I was trained to do in school, and I enjoy solving puzzles every day. The flexibility to work from home is also a huge plus.

Cons: I can get bogged down in sitting behind a computer alone for days on end, underutilizing my prized soft skills. Work can sometimes take significantly longer than anticipated, sometimes requiring 12+ hour shifts. Due to the nature of production support I am also on call in the early hours or weekends sometimes.